Attention Bloomberg users: Bloomberg has delivered a new API that you can use to download and save data from Bloomberg through the Bloomberg Excel Add-in. Introducing: Bloomberg Query Language (BQL). It works by:
- Consolidating fields
- Reducing the number of tickers you have to list
- Aggregating data
Why use it?
- You can do more in Bloomberg without hitting Bloomberg’s download limit. This is because BQL uses much less data than the traditional way of using data in Bloomberg. Rather than taking the raw data and doing the calculations in Excel or another application, Bloomberg does the calculations for you on their end and then gives you the aggregate figures.
- You’ll save time because you won’t have to list tickers and work out the formula by trial and error. Bloomberg works with lists of tickers and aggregates sums.
- Knowing how to use BQL is a marketable skill. BQL requires that you know how to use complex Excel formulas, and the functionality of those formulas is not dissimilar to Python, another skill employers look for.
How can I use it?
- To get started, login to a Bloomberg terminal, sign into Bloomberg and open the Excel Add-in.
- Select the BQL Builder tool.
- Begin building your query. Refer to the BQL guide on Bloomberg for guidance – type BQLX <GO>
What resources can I use to get support?
- BQL Cheatsheet, available on the Cass Library Moodle page
- BQLX <GO> lists the complete guide to using BQL.
- FLDS <GO> lists available fields that exist in Bloomberg
New to Bloomberg? Check out the Library Guide for Financial Information to learn about where to find it, how to sign up for access, and how to get help.